Since the inception of the MTO Trails Garden Route in 2021, some world-class trail building has taken place in Plettenberg Bay and its surrounds.

The Dr Evil Classic mountain bike race has become a must-do event among avid mountain bike riders over the years, but this year it is set to be more than just an epic three-stage race. Collaboration efforts are set to highlight Plettenberg Bay as not only a mountain bike riding haven, but also a top class destination.

Since the inception of the MTO Trails Garden Route in 2021, some world-class trail building has taken place in Plettenberg Bay and surrounds. This is thanks to a collaboration between MTO Trails Garden Route and the team at Club 100, in partnership with Biogen.

It therefore made sense for the owners of Dr Evil classic, Leon Evans and his business partner, Zandile Meneses, to join forces with the project to market Plett as a top go-to cycle-friendly seaside resort. “The stage race is pooling marketing resources with Plett Tourism, MTO Trails Garden Route and the Bayview Hotel to promote all that the town has to offer cyclists,” said Plett Tourism chief executive Patty Butterworth.

Douw van der Merwe, who heads up the initiative on behalf of MTO Trails Garden Route, explained that the overall Garden Route Trails stretch from Knysna through to Witelsbos in the Tsitsikamma.

“The trails boast over 1000km of planta-tion jeep tracks and linking single track. Riders have a choice of various trail permit options for single entry or multiple entry permits,” he said.

The most recent build includes a 16km section of sublime single track in the Kranshoek area, bordering the Harkerville forest and adjacent to Cairnbrogie Dairy Farm.

The new single track and the existing Cairnbrogie single track along the coastline will form part of stage 3 of the Dr Evil Classic. Evans described the new sections as “simply amazing, flowing, handmade, properly bermed and manicured trail heaven!”

“Over and above creating great trails, the project has created employment and skills development opportunities for four up-and-coming trail builders who work on the routes. It also means that more and more beautiful trails will be created as the project progresses.”

Read full Article by Yolandé Stander | - Knysna Plett Herald News